Hollywood starts with a broker

As the Sundance Film Festival came to a close, many felt that the well-received "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" was a complete shutout, failing to gain recognition from the festival.

This turn of events directly troubled the somewhat confident Steven Soderbergh, and several independent distributors who had initially shown interest in the film also backed down.

"Relax, Steven, don't rush," Aaron reassured Steven Soderbergh in the hotel room.

"How can I not rush?" Steven Soderbergh sighed.

"Rysher Entertainment, Savoy Pictures, Trimark Pictures, these independent film companies are all in a wait-and-see mode, lacking confidence in the film."

"The lack of recognition from Sundance for 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' makes them worry that the purchased work will be a failure!"

Aaron Anderson smiled, "It's not that they don't dare to buy this movie, it's just that they don't want to spend the price it deserves."

"You wouldn't want to sell it at a low price, would you?"

Was "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" difficult to sell?

No, it was still a matter of price. The prices these companies were willing to offer were too far from the expected prices of Steven Soderbergh and Aaron Anderson.

Sure enough, in the evening, a representative from another independent distributor, Miramax, arrived.

Miramax's representative, Harvey Weinstein, would become a famous figure in the future, but now he was just an independent film distributor relying on "sex"-themed works to attract attention!

"I heard that the negotiating representative for 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' is a young man, but I didn't expect him to be this young?"

Harvey Weinstein looked at Aaron Anderson and couldn't help but click his tongue.

"With your figure and looks, it's a waste not to be a star!"

Aaron Anderson smiled and shook hands with him out of respect for his profession and the other party, "Mr. Weinstein, good evening, I am Aaron Anderson, the representative of director Steven Soderbergh."

Harvey Weinstein nodded, "Let's not waste any time. One price. Miramax offers $600,000 to purchase the North American theatrical and video rights to 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape.'"

"I don't think any film company will offer a higher price than me, right?"

Steven Soderbergh's eyes flickered, clearly tempted. Aaron Anderson immediately stopped him with a look, signaling him not to interrupt!

Aaron Anderson sat on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and took a puff, "'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' is an excellent film, you know it, and I know it."

"The disregard from the Sundance Film Festival doesn't really mean anything!"

"No," Harvey Weinstein shook his head.

"It represents risk!"

"Haha, risk is opportunity," Aaron looked at the other party, "Currently, besides Stallone's action blockbusters being popular, gangster dramas and family ethics films also have a significant market."

"'Rain Man,' which was released at the end of last year, just won Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes, and its box office is also rising steadily, indicating that the family ethics market is always large."

"Although 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' is not comparable to 'Rain Man,' its prospects are worth more than this, right?"

"Harvey, you need to know that there are many art films about sex and lies, but Steven's film adds videotape, which is a genius idea!"

"Aaron, film distribution also depends on the input-output ratio!" Harvey Weinstein reminded.

Aaron shook his head, "We don't care about this Sundance Film Festival at all. 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' will be sent directly to Cannes to participate in the festival."

"This kind of film is sure to attract the Cannes Film Festival. Several producers at CAA are optimistic about it."

"If no film company distributes it, CAA will send this film to Cannes to participate in the festival, using the Cannes Film Festival platform to seek buyers. A good work cannot be buried!"

Harvey Weinstein was moved when he saw the name of this film, and even more determined after watching the finished product!

He didn't expect that the other party's representative would also be so optimistic?

"What price do you want?" Harvey Weinstein asked.

Aaron held out two fingers, "$2 million to sell the North American theatrical rights!"

"That's impossible," Harvey Weinstein stood up directly.

"Then can you give us a release schedule and guarantee a screening scale of no less than 200 theaters?"

"Of course not. Not only is Steven Soderbergh a new director, but the actors inside are also unknown. We can't promise!"

"Harvey, you and I both know that this movie has great potential, and Steven Soderbergh is also confident in his film," Aaron said with confidence.

"Once it goes to the Cannes Film Festival, this film will definitely shine, and then it will be a bidding war among various distributors!"

Harvey Weinstein's expression changed, "No independent film has ever sold for a million dollars at the Sundance Film Festival."

"Well, I believe it will happen this year!"

"$2 million is impossible, $1 million to acquire the theatrical and video rights."

Aaron shook his head, "Impossible, North American theatrical and video rights, at least $3.5 million!"

"Aaron, you are too greedy. If you do this, 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' will definitely not be able to enter theaters."

There is no mistake, one first, one hair, one inside, one content, one in, one look!

"No, you underestimate CAA too much. I contacted Ms. Paula Wagner before, and I also sent her a copy, and she liked it very much!"

Aaron must now bring out big names to support the facade. Tom Cruise's agent's name is still enough.

As for CAA Chairman Michael Ovitz, he is traveling between the United States and Japan, helping the Japanese electronics giant Sony acquire the Hollywood studio Columbia TriStar Pictures.

"Don't forget, Cannes is the main battlefield. I think you should understand the love of European filmmakers for this kind of art film."

Harvey Weinstein sighed, "$800,000 to acquire the theatrical rights!"

"Hey," Aaron shook his head, "I think we should wait until the Cannes Film Festival to talk about it."

With that, Aaron stood up.

Harvey Weinstein took a deep breath, "$1 million for North American theatrical rights!"

Steven Soderbergh's breathing became rapid, and his face was already flushed.

Aaron stubbed out his cigarette, "One price, $1.2 million, and we will fully cooperate with Miramax to participate in the Cannes Film Festival."

"Because Steven's film shooting funds come from loans, Miramax must pay in cash within a week!"

"Okay, I'll have someone prepare the contract as soon as possible," Harvey stood up directly, preparing to leave first.

Then, he looked back again, "Aaron Anderson, right? You are very good!"

Seeing Harvey Weinstein leave, Steven Soderbergh couldn't control himself anymore, he jumped up directly, "Aaron, have I ever told you that you are a genius?"

"$1.2 million, North American theatrical rights, do you know that this creates history?"

Steven Soderbergh's mental price was only eight or nine hundred thousand dollars, and that was for North American theatrical rights plus video rights.

He himself didn't have as much confidence in this movie as Aaron Anderson did.

Aaron took a breath, "Miramax has also created a piece of news for itself, the most expensive independent film deal at the Sundance Film Festival so far!"

Looking at the other party's performance just now, Aaron had already realized that the price was still too low.

No wonder Harvey Weinstein would have such a big reputation in the future. This fat man's vision is really accurate sometimes!